Firstly, there is excessive cable noise, be it walking (thump, thump from my footsteps) or just turn my head even slightly. Not sure if it is due to fit issues or otherwise. The seal is good, meaning I cannot hear sound around me. I did wear them as instructed, twisting the earpiece in and then pushing it into the ears.

Next, the sound quality is not what I expected. I'm not sure how to explain it, perhaps the best word is, it sounds congested. Not the airy, sparkly sound when I demo the universal JH13. Also, the mids sounds recessed. I listen them from an iPhone 5s. Again, this might be fit issues.

Bear in mind, I came from Westone4 (the older ones without replacement cable) and with comply largest and longest foam tips.

What should I do next, refit?

Really hard to say, I personally dont blame every possible fault on refits like some do (not implying you, but others here on head-fi.)

I have compared the w4 with the jh13 and the jh13 is definately more foreward and "close" to you compared to the w4, which could be the cause of the "congested" sound. The w4's more "distant" sound could offer the interpretation of more room to breath and space in the sound, or less congestion. But while the jh13 is a "full"
sounding phone that hase a close presentation, i wouldn't describe it as congested.

I was underwhelmed with the jh16 the first time i had it, and it was because i had built up an expectation in my mind that it was going to be miles ahead of my jh5, and it was only slightly better. WELCOME TO THE GRAND ILLUSION! While the jh13 and jh16 are better than my jh5, it is only very slightly better and could be attributed fully to preferance rather than technical ability (in my opinion). The same could be said for the w4 vs jh13.

Id say give it some more time. Only send for refit if it breaks seal or gets uncomfortable after long periods.

It appears that it is playing stereo sound, both left and right however only in one ear. If a tree falls in the woods and no one hears it does it make a sound...??? This would be similar to placing a set of stereo speakers in a room the sound is still stereo coming from the speakers and also is from the ciem, however if the person can only hear in one ear...

Firstly, there is excessive cable noise, be it walking (thump, thump from my footsteps) or just turn my head even slightly. Not sure if it is due to fit issues or otherwise. The seal is good, meaning I cannot hear sound around me. I did wear them as instructed, twisting the earpiece in and then pushing it into the ears.

Next, the sound quality is not what I expected. I'm not sure how to explain it, perhaps the best word is, it sounds congested. Not the airy, sparkly sound when I demo the universal JH13. Also, the mids sounds recessed. I listen them from an iPhone 5s. Again, this might be fit issues.

Bear in mind, I came from Westone4 (the older ones without replacement cable) and with comply largest and longest foam tips.

What should I do next, refit?

Really hard to say, I personally dont blame every possible fault on refits like some do (not implying you, but others here on head-fi.)

I have compared the w4 with the jh13 and the jh13 is definately more foreward and "close" to you compared to the w4, which could be the cause of the "congested" sound. The w4's more "distant" sound could offer the interpretation of more room to breath and space in the sound, or less congestion. But while the jh13 is a "full"
sounding phone that hase a close presentation, i wouldn't describe it as congested.

I was underwhelmed with the jh16 the first time i had it, and it was because i had built up an expectation in my mind that it was going to be miles ahead of my jh5, and it was only slightly better. WELCOME TO THE GRAND ILLUSION! While the jh13 and jh16 are better than my jh5, it is only very slightly better and could be attributed fully to preferance rather than technical ability (in my opinion). The same could be said for the w4 vs jh13.

Id say give it some more time. Only send for refit if it breaks seal or gets uncomfortable after long periods.

I guess it's all preference but I wouldn't automatically lump the 13 and 16 together. For instance, every reviewer in the CIEM challenge that heard both generally thought the 13 best of all tried at the time and the 16 out of the running. I would enjoy the 5 more than as the 16 due to to the 16 having a less natural balanced, even though it can be more informative. When I purchased, my decision was to either save some money and get one of the best values on the market in the JH5 or get what I felt was the best phone at the time, JH13. The 16 was never a consideration of mine, though I do understand why some like so much.

It appears that it is playing stereo sound, both left and right however only in one ear. If a tree falls in the woods and no one hears it does it make a sound...??? This would be similar to placing a set of stereo speakers in a room the sound is still stereo coming from the speakers and also is from the ciem, however if the person can only hear in one ear...

Most DAPs/phones don't have a mono button. How else to hear everything?

I only lumped them together because of the fact that they are incredibly similar (apart from the bass) but that was exactly my point, is that you can enjoy and prefer the jh5 and w4 to "totl" models based on preference.

I only lumped them together because of the fact that they are incredibly similar (apart from the bass) but that was exactly my point, is that you can enjoy and prefer the jh5 and w4 to "totl" models based on preference.

You can like anything more than another based on preference but the W4 and jh5 are not in the same qualitative league as a jh13fp IMO.

Sound quality is great. Great clarity. Previous impression of congestion could be due to poor source. Perhaps inherent in the CD.

Existing dac/amp iBasso d7 has too high gain for the jh13. At 9 o'clock, it is just soft enough for my comfort without getting into channel imbalance. Tried the JDS C5D yesterday and liked it with mid bass boast and iPhone 5s and CCK.